x ; P age A 7 T he P ortland O bserver • hsæ 5, 1995 c Sheetrock Completed In Vancouver Mouse! ‘P ortland Mass Choir In the 25th chapter of Matthew, Christ says that the person who is faithful with small things shall one day be entrusted with much. That scripture could find no better illus­ tration than the Portland Mass Choir. The choir’s debut release. It’s Jesus, is proof-positive that single-minded purpose and devotion to the Lord indeed yields great returns. With a sound that is both cut­ ting-edge contemporary, yet still firmly rooted in tradition, the Port­ land Mass Choir is creating its own, unique definition of Gospel music. The title song from It’s Jesus begins as a soul-stirring ballad before slid- ing into a smooth urban groove. It also makes a simple but powerful statement that sums up the choir’s $ message and mission. “Our choir is made up of people of all denominations, races and back­ grounds,” says co-founder and con­ ductor, Ray Tellis, “but Christ is the common bond that brings us together and makes us strong. We live the life we sing about, and if it’s not about Him, it’s not worth doing.” Among numerous stand-outs, “Deliverance” showcases both the Portland Mass Choir's jazzier and traditional side. “Lord We Praise You” is a dramatic, heartrending song of worship, and “Come and Go” is a joyful, uptempo invitation to lift up the name of the Lord. “All of our songs are message songs," explains Ray, “and all of them point directly to Him.” While the choir members share a common focus and purpose, the Portland Mass Choir is also the real­ ization of a personal dream held by Ray almost from the day he was bom. “When I was two weeks old, my pastor laid hands on me and said that TZtf God was going to anoint me to play music,” says Ray. “And I’ve been doing it almost ever since.” Ray was raised in a devout Chris­ tian home, surrounded by older broth­ ers and sisters who alI sang and played music around the house and in the church choir. By age four, Ray was playing the piano. He was that choir’s accompanist at age 12, and its con­ ductor by the time he was 15. While the adult choir was ini­ tially skeptical of the leadership o f an adolescent, Ray’s dedication and abundant talents prevailed, and he was soon accepted and respected in his new role, where he remained for a number of years. Having been born with a natural gift, Ray received his only formal musical training in his middle and high school bands, playing the trum­ pet, though he had an innate ability to make music on any instrument he spent enough time to become famil­ iar with. After high school, Ray spent more than a decade working in the Portland transportation system, all the while remaining active in music, taking on duties as choir director and worsh ip leader at several churches in the Portland area. As Ray filled his days with dual careers in the workaday world as well as the church, he also harbored a vision of greater things, playing keyboards and arranging on a cus­ tom album project in early 1983 that pulled together many of Portland’s finest Gospel talents and become the seed of the Portland Mass Choir. Ray’s wife, Ada Tellis, was also born into a musical family and sang in church and professionally since early childhood. Now a singer and songwriter in Portland Mass, it was Ada who took Ray’s ideas for a choir and began organizing them into real­ ity. In March of 1993, Portland Mass Choir’s first workshop was kicked off by Donald Taylor, director o f the renowned L.A. Mass Choir. Ada’s advertising, promotion and public service announcements brought out a large, multi-cultural group of peo­ ple which, by Apri I o f that same year, had evolved into the Portland Mass Choir. Ada brought to the choir a desire to see the Body of Christ come together in one mind and one accord, not only as Gospel singers, but as Christians who sing the gospel mes­ sage o f Jesus Christ. Ray is currently the worship pastor at Portland’s New Beginnings Christian Center, where his wifejoins him on the music praise team. Ray and Ada have watched as the dream of a community mass choir has taken on a life far beyond their original expectations. “The choir became something more than we had anticipated,” says Ada, “but in our spirits, we felt right because we could sense the Lord at work in it. So many times, as Christians, we try to be approved by man, but it’s really all about Christ. God is not looking for superstars, or men that other men will follow. He wants the praise that’s due Him, and that’s the realization around which Portland Mass Choir was formed.” “ Presentation and professional­ ism are important parts of what we do,” Ray concludes, “but we really are groom ed tow ards m inistry. What ’s a song without a soul? What good is it if people aren’t saved? That’s the whole purpose of Portland Mass Choir.” Thanks to apprentices from Willamette Carpentry Training Cen­ ter, and the Coordinator, Ron Hansen, the sheetrock work is completed on the Vancouver House. Taping has begun, with sanding and other finish work remaining to be done. Wil­ lamette Carpentry Training Center is part of Carpenters’ Local, #2154. Much o f the insulation has been installed in the Gantenbein House. It was expected to have been finished before now, but Site-Superintendent Bruce Edman has been working alone most of the time. If sabigjobforone man, even a dedicated man I ike Bruce. He is thankful for those who come by to help, even for a little while, like Bill Kennington. from Central Bible Church, who lends his experienced skills whenever he can. Also, Jim Spinks, from Good Shepherd Church, brought a friend and spent a Saturday afternoon working at the site. Different kinds of help are need­ ed. For instance. Rev. James Coleman has offered to run some of the neces­ sary errands that otherwise would take Bruce away from the site, and now that there has been a generous planting o f new shrubbery, supplied by Superior Landscaping, Inc., some­ one is needed to take care of the watering. Trop het's Mohammed Last Sermon (This sermon was delivered on the 9th day ofDhul Hijjah 10 A H. in the Valley O f Mount Arafat) “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very careful ly and T ake These Words To Those Who Could Not Be Present Here Today. > O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, So regard the life and property of $very Muslim as a sacred trust. Re­ turn the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usuary (Interest), therefor all Interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. • Beware of Satan, for the safety o f your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things. O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regards to your to others again; and may the last ones women, but they also have rights understand my words better than over you. If they abide by your right those who listen to me directly. Be then to them belongs the right to be my witness O Allah, that I have con­ fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat veyed Your message to Your peo­ your women well and be kind to them ple.” For Information about Islam, call for they are your partners and com­ mitted helpers. And it is your right 246-0813 that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not ap­ prove, as we as never to commit adultery. O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily R E C O R D I prayers (Salah), fast duringthe month The Bible: It’s Always Relevant (NU) - “Head of Christ,” a paint­ ing by American artist Warner Sail- man has been reproduced more than 500 million times since 1940. It is suggested that people respond to this painting because it portrays an ac­ cessible and reassuring Jesus. As the Bible reminds us, “Jesus Christ nev­ er changes. He is the same yester­ day, today and forever.” For infor­ mation on the work and programs of the American Bible Society, write ABS, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023. (News USA) * * * 3Í5 Cottins ‘Recuperating Ms Evelyn Collins founder of the Grace Collins Memorial Center and better known as Miss Collins is presently recuperating from a skin graft to her leg. We would like to solicit your prayers for this long-time community activist. All questions may be directed to 281 -6930. ask for Irma or LaRan. 8138 N Hudson Portland, OR 97203 (503) 283-3558 * Church (503) 283-0169 * Home Elder Tom Moore, Pastor of (T h e s p o r t ia n i» Sunday Morning yVorship 11:45 A M. YPWW 6:30 P.M. Sunday Evening Worship 7:30 P.M. Tuesday Prayer/Bible Band 7:30 P.M. Friday Worship Service 7:00 P.M. “Come Unto Me All Ye That Labor And Are Heavy Laden, And I Will Give You Rest, rake My Yoke Upon You And Learn Of Me. " Matt. 11:28-29 We have a place tor you. Come fellowship with us! A Welcome Is Awaiting Voul © b s e r tie r ifar/y/iion D iatcm cni M y Chic — R obert Lynd ^ ific-rd m eifca n V aiïh r